Concorde AGM

pggroves

Does/Has anyone have/had any real life experience with the Concorde AGM Deep Cycle batteries?

I'm a die hard Trojan fan and for good reason, but I just can't ignore the AGM specs on cycle life.

Yes the AGM's are pricey, but if you keep discharge rates to 50% or lower you can easily achieve 2000+ cycles. That's pretty impressive. At today's prices, you're going to pay about 35% more for the AGM but you can nearly double the cycles! And a benefit to AGM is no more watering and very likely much less corrosion on connections. If you're wondering, the deep cycle AGM's have comparable Ahr ratings to T105's.

What am I missing?

Anyone running deep cycle AGM's? Let's hear about your experience.

BGW

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gornoman

Doesn't the AGM type cell use a proprietary charge cycle? You would need to figure in the cost of a new charging system to the equation.

pggroves

That is inaccurate. AGM technology batteries can be charged at normal flooded lead-acid regulated charging voltages, therefore, it is not necessary to recalibrate charging systems or purchase special chargers.

In addition, AGM batteries can be 5-50x better at FLA batteries on self discharge.

Shock resistant. +
Sealed. +
Nearly zero water loss. +
Faster charging. +

Other than expense what other negatives?

Monsterezgokid

This would be something that i am on the fence about because i have a bunch of MAC 48v chargers that i use for 48v conversions, and it has an internal switch circut that you select for either flooded or AGM type batteries.

It would be worth a look into before distroying your batts with your standard charger.
It may just depend on the type of AGM batts that you purchase.

gornoman

It might be true that an AGM cell CAN be charged with a standard charger, but is this the optimal procedure? I also have a charger with an AGM setting. Why is this feature included? BTW, this was the basis for my original question.

pggroves

I just regurgitated the info from the manufacturer. I suppose it could be marketing hyperbole but I believe the deep cycle AGM's are capable of handling the standard charger. Can all AGM's? I'd say no but for the purpose of this thread/question the presumption is you wouldn't be using AGM's other than deep cycle for this application. And maybe Concorde is the only one that will state that. You can research it here.

Probably did need clarification and may be a moot point since I'm finding pricing of these type batteries at twice that of quality deep cycle SLA and three times or more of bargain deep cycle SLA types. That puts a 36v pack at $1200+ w/o regard to charging. That's a big number to overcome even if cycle life is doubled.

Monsterezgokid

I totaly agree, the only real benifit i would see is if you made a cart for some elderly people who are looking for as much of a maintence free cart as possible; elminating the need for watering the batteries, or dealing with acid could be a good selling point for those who are cautious.

Hopefully we can start seeing the new Eestor system in carts soon, even for experimentation. Ive been in concact with Zenn motor company up here in toronto who have exclusive rights for use of the Eestor in golf carts, but hopefully that will change soon. I still want to see this Eestor thing work before before putting my hopes too high. Anyways, dont want to side track the thread

pggroves

FWIW:
Here is the link that states that AGM's, well at least Concorde deep cycle, can tolerate SLA type charging algorithm.

I'd still consider these AGM's. You probably won't see a "ROI" on them, but several of the considerations warrant value even if very subjective. No acid spilling, i.e. no tray corrosion. No watering. Faster charging times. Semi impervious to vibration/rough handling. Much better terminal connection. Can use existing charging system. Pretty much zero maintenance except charging.

But: best number I've seen for Concorde PVX-2240T (T105 comp) is $239. x6...x8...yikes!

Oh, and on the Cedar Park thing.

You own EEstor stock? Mighty interesting. Especially the recharge time.

For those unwilling to Google: here's an excerpt that kind of sums up the EEStor (claimed) technology. ....In April 2008 ZENN Motor Company announced a highway speed vehicle for 2009 using EEStor's capacitors which will achieve 80 mph (130 km/h) speeds, 250 mile (400 km) range and charge in 5 minutes[16] CityZENN target price is around $25000 - $30000. [17]

Monsterezgokid

I own some stocks in Zenn, im not a super big stock player, "long term i guess you call it" with whatever money i got left over after school is payed up. But my money is more on Zenn, then EEstor, lets just hope its not just some played up technology. But as for Zenn, its a super nice company, ive meet some of the people from there, and they realy do make a pretty neat vehilce. As far as things go, Zenn will be my future employment hopefully.
The current Zenn uses; if im not mistaken, the advance xp2140. Im not too certian on the model, but they do get their motors from Advance DC motors from Saryacuse Ny.
Controller wize, i am uncertian on that. But if i could ever get my hands on one of them. Out goes the factory controller, in goes a custom Alltrax, and presto, no more goverend Zenn

Anyways, back on topic, as for the AGM batts, the fact that you brought up "it not rusting the battery trays" is qite a conicidence, i worked on one customers cart this weekend, and was admazed that the batterys were still being held up. Then onto another persons cart today, they seemed to miss the point about watering their batteries properly, i was doing up a basic fog light kit, and decided to check the levels. Let me just say, i was glad the cart didnt blow up on me while i was driving it over to my place across the park. The plates were almost bone dry!.

pggroves

You bring up a good point. Seems AGM would be safer than FLA. Especially for those that do not practice good maintenance.

Still can't get by the $$$$$ though.